Declaration of Independence: Announcing American Freedom

What did the Declaration of Independence do? The Declaration announced our independence from Great Britain, declared our independence from Great Britain, or said that the United States is free from Great Britain. All these answers mean the same thing: the Declaration told the world that the thirteen American colonies were breaking away from British rule to become an independent nation.

The Declaration was not law. It did not create government or list rights that courts could enforce. Instead, it was a public announcement and a statement of principles. It explained why Americans were separating from Britain and what values would guide the new nation. This made the Declaration politically and philosophically important even though it was not legally binding.

The Essential Facts

For the citizenship test, you can say the Declaration announced our independence from Great Britain, declared our independence from Great Britain, or said that the United States is free from Great Britain. Any of these phrasings is correct.

The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This date is why we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July. The Declaration came after more than a year of fighting between American and British forces. Americans had resisted British policies for over a decade, but declaring complete independence was a momentous and risky step.

Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the Declaration. A committee including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin reviewed and edited his draft. Congress debated the document for several days, making changes before approving the final version. The Declaration’s most famous words state that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Why the Colonies Declared Independence

By 1776, many Americans believed reconciliation with Britain was impossible. The colonies and Britain had been in conflict for years over taxes, trade restrictions, and the extent of colonial self-government. British troops and colonial militias had fought battles at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. King George III had declared the colonies in rebellion.

Despite this conflict, independence was controversial. Many Americans still hoped for reconciliation. They considered themselves British subjects with rights under British law. Breaking from Britain meant war, economic disruption, and an uncertain future. The decision to declare independence required convincing people that separation was necessary.

The Declaration served this purpose. It listed grievances against King George III, showing why British rule had become intolerable. It appealed to natural rights philosophy, arguing that when government violates fundamental rights, people can alter or abolish it. The Declaration made the case for independence in terms colonists and the world could understand.

Announcing independence also had practical benefits. The colonies needed foreign help to win the war. France and Spain might assist rebels fighting for independence but would not help mere protesters seeking better treatment within the British Empire. The Declaration made clear that America was fighting to become a new nation, not just for reform within the old one.

Historical Moment

In early June 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution to the Continental Congress. He proposed that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” Congress debated this resolution while appointing a committee to draft a declaration explaining independence.

Thomas Jefferson, only thirty-three years old, took on the writing task. He worked in his rented rooms in Philadelphia, drafting and revising. Jefferson drew on ideas from English philosopher John Locke, Virginia’s Declaration of Rights, and his own political philosophy. He wanted to write something that would inspire not just Americans but people everywhere who valued liberty.

On July 1, Congress debated Lee’s resolution for independence. John Adams spoke powerfully in favor. He later recalled the debate as one of the most important moments of his life. On July 2, Congress voted for independence. Twelve colonies voted yes. New York abstained but would approve later.

Congress then turned to Jefferson’s declaration. Delegates debated for two days, making changes to Jefferson’s draft. They removed a passage condemning slavery, which southern delegates opposed. They tightened the language in several places. On July 4, Congress approved the revised Declaration.

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2, when Congress voted for independence, would be celebrated for generations with parades and fireworks. He was almost right. Americans celebrate July 4, when the Declaration was approved, rather than July 2, when the vote for independence occurred.

How You See It Today

The Declaration of Independence is not law, but its principles continue shaping American life. The statement that all men are created equal became a standard by which to measure whether America lives up to its ideals. Abraham Lincoln invoked this principle when opposing slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. quoted the Declaration when fighting for civil rights.

The Declaration’s appeal to natural rights influenced how Americans think about liberty. Government should protect rights that exist independently, not grant rights as privileges. This philosophy appears throughout American political discourse. When people argue for new rights or defend existing ones, they often appeal to principles like those in the Declaration.

Every year on July 4, Americans celebrate Independence Day with parades, fireworks, and public readings of the Declaration. This tradition keeps the Declaration’s words alive across generations. Many Americans can quote at least part of it even if they have not studied it formally.

The Deeper Story

The Declaration’s assertion that all men are created equal was revolutionary for its time. Most societies in 1776 were hierarchical, with kings, nobles, and commoners having different legal status. The idea that all people had equal worth and equal rights challenged centuries of tradition.

The Declaration’s ideals were aspirational even in 1776. All men are created equal, but slavery existed throughout the colonies. Jefferson himself owned enslaved people, as did many Declaration signers. Women could not vote or hold property independently. Native Americans were excluded from the political community. The gap between principle and practice was enormous.

Over time, Americans have worked to close this gap. The Civil War ended slavery. Constitutional amendments extended citizenship and voting rights. The civil rights movement challenged segregation and discrimination. These struggles often invoked the Declaration’s principles to argue that America should live up to its stated values.

The Declaration influenced revolutions and independence movements worldwide. The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen borrowed ideas from it. Latin American independence movements cited it. Twentieth-century declarations of independence from colonial rule echoed its themes. The Declaration became a template for people asserting their right to self-government.

Connections That Matter

Understanding what the Declaration did helps distinguish it from the Constitution. The Declaration announced separation from Britain and stated principles. The Constitution, written eleven years later, created actual government. Both documents are important, but they serve different purposes.

The Declaration’s principles about natural rights and consent of the governed influenced the Constitution’s design. When the Constitution begins “We the People,” it echoes the Declaration’s idea that government derives authority from the people. When the Bill of Rights protects individual freedoms, it reflects the Declaration’s emphasis on unalienable rights.

The Declaration’s list of grievances against King George III shaped what the Constitution prohibited. The Declaration complained about taxation without representation, so the Constitution gave Congress the power to tax. The Declaration objected to judges dependent on the king’s will, so the Constitution gave federal judges lifetime tenure. The Declaration’s complaints influenced the Constitution’s solutions.

For more on the Declaration’s principles, see our article on natural rights in the uscis-questions category. To understand how these principles influenced the Constitution, explore our explanation of popular sovereignty and “We the People.” To learn about who wrote the Declaration, read about Thomas Jefferson.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Declaration of Independence law? No. It is a statement of principles and an announcement of separation from Britain. It is historically and philosophically important but not legally binding the way the Constitution is.

Who signed the Declaration? Fifty-six delegates to the Continental Congress signed. Signers included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Many signers faced serious consequences. The British considered them traitors subject to execution if captured.

When was it signed? Most delegates signed on August 2, 1776, about a month after Congress approved the Declaration on July 4. Some signed later as they arrived at Congress or after their colonies authorized them to sign.

What are unalienable rights? Rights that cannot be given up or taken away. The Declaration lists life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as examples. These rights exist independent of government, which should protect them rather than grant them.

Why does the Declaration mention the pursuit of happiness? This phrase replaced property, which appeared in similar lists by philosophers like John Locke. Jefferson may have thought pursuit of happiness was broader than property, encompassing fulfillment and well-being beyond just owning things.

Did declaring independence make the United States independent? Not immediately. The Declaration announced the intention to be independent, but winning actual independence required winning the Revolutionary War, which lasted until 1783.

What grievances did the Declaration list? It listed over twenty complaints against King George III. These included taxation without representation, interfering with colonial legislatures, keeping armies in the colonies during peacetime, and denying trial by jury. The list showed why Americans considered British rule tyrannical.

How does the Declaration relate to slavery? The Declaration says all men are created equal, but many signers owned slaves. Jefferson’s original draft condemned the slave trade, but Congress removed this passage. This contradiction between principle and practice would eventually help fuel the movement to abolish slavery.

What should I know for the citizenship test? The Declaration announced our independence from Great Britain. You might also be asked when it was adopted (July 4, 1776) or who wrote it (Thomas Jefferson). Know these basic facts.

Why is July 4 important? July 4, 1776 is when the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. This date marks the birth of the United States as an independent nation and is celebrated as Independence Day.